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‘Another sleepless night…’
No matter how much he tried, Lucifer couldn’t fall asleep. His depression and anxiety were making his mind restless, bringing forth several millennia of trauma. He had already tried several things his daughter had taught him to make his mind relax, from meditation, to journaling, to drinking chamomile tea and even engaging in his favorite hobby (making rubber ducks, of course!), but nothing seemed to make his mind stop spinning with both self-doubt and self-loathing tonight.
To make him feel even more miserable about himself, his wings were feeling restless and cramped.
While he had been helping with the hotel reconstruction, Lucifer got used to flying around and, during that time, he had stretched his wings to his heart's content. But since then, it’s been weeks since he’d allowed them to have proper exercise. They had been confined to their pocket dimension for too long, and their cramping was definitely not helping Lucifer calming his mind down.
If the silence felt around the hotel was to be trusted, all the hotel residents and staff were already fast asleep, which made it ideal for what he had in mind.
Usually the fallen angel didn’t have a problem showing off his wings, but the current anxiety was making him feel way too self-conscious tonight. And the last thing he wanted was someone triggering an anxiety attack or even worse, a panic attack. No, he needed to do this without anyone witnessing it.
Not giving himself more space for self-doubt, Lucifer was quick to open a portal that led him right into the hotel foyer.
As he had expected, it was so late that even Husk had already retired, leaving the place silent as a tomb.
Lucifer was still wearing his sleeveless pajamas but he couldn’t care less about it. One of the things he made sure to add to the new hotel were strong wards preventing technology like drones and spy bugs, so he wasn’t worried about being on the front page of the newspapers in the morning. And to be honest, Hell had bigger problems than its King appearing in public in pajamas. With or without rubber duckies on them!
Opening the hotel door and going outside, he unfurled his wings, letting them be displayed to their full glory. Lucifer almost wept with the relief he felt when his wings were finally allowed to stretch. But it was still not quite enough, he needed proper exercise. It would help with the cramps and kill some of the frantic energy he was feeling due to his anxiety.
First of all, he needed to carefully massage them, in order to help ease the cramps. And he took his sweet time doing it, as well as properly stretching his muscles. The last thing he wanted was to have a serious injury because he was too impatient to warm up.
When he finally felt ready, he stretched his wings to his maximum size and with a powerful thrust he was in the air. Lucifer did a little spin, elevating himself higher and higher. When he was able to see the hotel roof, he felt an instant wave of calm entering his mind.
Angels were always flying, so being in the air was where he felt at ease. Even if Hell’s air was significantly heavier and suffocating than Heaven, the angel part of him still loved to be in the air.
With practiced ease, he started flying around the hotel. He went slowly at first but after a while his enthusiasm got the better of him and he started going faster.
Lucifer loved feeling the rush of wind on his face, the feeling of freedom flying it gave him like no other. When he was up in the air, he wasn’t Lucifer the King of Hell and he had no responsibilities, no expectations, no disappointments. It was only him, his wings and the vastness of the Pride Ring sky to explore.
One thing he had learned centuries ago was that most sinners didn’t fly, even the winged ones seemed to actively avoid it. Maybe because they didn’t want to be reminded of their animal nature; or maybe because they thought winged beings only belonged in Heaven. Whatever the reason was, it didn’t matter to Lucifer, not right now; the only thing he cared about at the moment was him and the sky, nothing else. He focused on the feeling of freedom and let his mind empty of all his anxious and depressive thoughts.
Lucifer busied himself by doing several flight acrobatics, like loops, spins and rolls. Sometimes he opened portals to allow him to accelerate through them at a higher speed, making him almost untraceable, like a very quick and small white point in the sky.
Unbeknownst to him, there was actually a sinner still awake at the hotel.
Alastor was also having a bout of insomnia. But contrary to the King, it had nothing to do with past traumas. No, the Radio Demon issue was very much present in his everyday life at the hotel, and it was called Lucifer. Try as he might, the fallen angel wouldn’t leave his thoughts alone.
Despite their initial animosity, the two of them had found they actually had a lot in common and had become fast friends. Their passive-aggressive jabs had evolved to friendly banter. In time, Alastor started to feel an unusual kinship towards the King. That… that was a lie. He actually felt way more than that, which was what was making him go crazy with the need to be around the small king. It got to a point that he actually felt the need to touch the fallen angel at all times, to embrace or cuddle with him. One time he had almost been tempted to kiss him. Which was absurd! Alastor only needed to touch others to kill or maim, not to show meaningless feelings like love!
Ah… And here was what was keeping the demon awake… Alastor’s self-discovery about his feelings for the King of Hell.
As much as he cherished his friendship with Rosie, he would have much preferred to continue to be ignorant and in denial. But alas, her predisposition for giving romantic advice had caught up even the fearless Radio Demon, making him aware of his new found romantic feelings for the fallen angel.
Ever since that day, he had been avoiding Lucifer like the plague, not wanting to make a fool out of himself by blushing like a schoolgirl with her first crush every time the King so much as looked his way. But you know what everyone says, distance makes the heart grow fond and dammit if he wasn’t missing his small King like crazy!
To add to his distress, Charlie had pulled him apart earlier that day to have a serious talk. That alone should have alarmed him but when she showed worry that her father hadn't left his room in several days, he had felt a crushing guilt form deep in his heart. Had he been so self-absorbed in his meaningless little drama because of his feelings that he hadn’t even noticed the one he longed for was hurting by himself?
A blur passed by his Radio Tower, throwing him out of his own head with a startled jump. His first thought was that Vox was spying on him once again with those annoying little flying robots. But the shadow was too big and it was flying too fast to be one of those. So he got closer to his window and was surprised with what he witnessed.
Lucifer, in his full angelic glory, had his magnificent wings out and was flying freely around the hotel. Alastor was mesmerized by what he was seeing, as he had never seen the King look so carefree as he looked in that moment. It was quite a spectacle to watch the acrobatics Lucifer was performing in the air, and he would greatly enjoy the show in the privacy of his own tower if his gaze hadn’t caught Lucifer’s expression. The fallen angel looked melancholic and sad, his blank and empty eyes looking ahead, almost lifeless.
One of the things Alastor loved about his tiny ruler was how his expressive eyes were always sparkling with emotion. It always amused him to see how incensed his eyes would look after he bantered with him about the most inane things. This sparkle was one of the first things Alastor had fallen in love with Lucifer, so seeing his eyes so devoid of emotions made his heart hurt.
Making a decision on the spot, Alastor materialized to the top of his Radio Tower, hoping he could fix what was wrong with his King.
Despite the initial calm Lucifer had felt, his thoughts had come back with vengeance, focusing on one particular subject, over and over again.
Alastor.
The Radio Demon had started as a nuisance to the King. Alastor, in all his infuriating glory, seemed determined to push all his buttons and to make him look bad in front of his daughter. For fucks sake, the first time they were introduced he had the audacity of calling him short! Not to mention he had implied being like a (true) dad to Charlie! He even had the audacity of calling Lucifer a dud of a parent!
However, this all had changed, and Lucifer had long admitted his heart had grown too fond of the demon. To the point he must’ve been too obvious with his affections, making the said demon recoil with the intensity of his feelings.
Because as much as sometimes Lucifer seemed like an airhead, he wasn’t totally stupid. Lucifer had noticed the demon leaving every time he entered a room, and the few times they were forced to interact in the last few weeks, he seemed almost unnerved to be in his presence.
But it was ok! Really! Lucifer could take the hint!
So he stopped being involved in anything the Radio Demon was part of, slowly withdrawing his presence from all the hotel affairs and retiring to his room for hours to end. Hours that soon had turned into days and days turning into weeks.
It wasn’t like anyone really needed him anyway…
What Lucifer failed to see was how the hotel staff had indeed missed his presence, in particular his daughter and Alastor, the said object of his affliction. Not that Lucifer was even aware of this, as he was wallowing in self-pity and abandonment issues during his reclusive time.
Just like now, he was so absorbed in his thoughts, he hadn’t even noticed the said demon watching him from the roof of his Radio Tower.
Lucifer was flying higher and higher, almost like he was trying to get to Heaven again. When he was no more than a tiny white dot in Hell's sky, he let himself fall.
His free fall almost reminded him of The Fall, only this time he was already in Hell, his wings weren’t ripped off and he wasn’t worried about Lilith surviving.
So he allowed himself to fall, knowing he could save himself anytime he chose to. He was letting himself go, no thoughts, only the sound of the wind rushing in his ears.
Meanwhile Alastor was watching Lucifer with rapt attention, feeling mesmerized with how graceful and otherworldly his King looked in the air. He was really too heavenly for this realm. But when he started plummeting to the ground, Alastor was instantly alarmed, panic filling him. Why wasn’t the fallen angel using his wings to stop the fall? Was he trying to hurt himself? Was it like Charlie feared and the depression had finally won?
No, he wasn’t allowing the one his heart belonged to be hurt, not if he could stop it. Not on his watch.
Alastor channeled all his Eldritch powers, enveloping himself in a green acidic aura, his eyes blackening and turning into radio dials. He made his tentacles grow to their maximum size and stretched them in Lucifer’s fall direction. They were intertwined with each other, like a small bouncy basket of tentacles, in a way to make them more effective to catch the small King.
Lucifer was still with his back to the ground, completely unaware of what was happening beneath him. He was getting ready to bring forth his wings to stop his fall and fly back to the sky, when his drop was suddenly interrupted.
To say he was surprised was an understatement. Instead of having landed on the cold, hard floor, he was laying comfortably on something that felt soft and warm; that made him feel cared for and protected. Looking around he spotted the familiar Eldritch tentacles carefully cradling him in an almost tender way.
The tentacles started taking him closer to the hotel, where Lucifer spotted Alastor at the top of his Radio Tower. Had he been so lost in his own head he hadn’t noticed the other demon sneaking up on him? How long had Alastor been watching him fly? Why had the demon caught him?
While Lucifer was spiraling in anxious thoughts about the Alastor, the Overlord was thrilled with his accomplishment, he had saved the small King. The closer Lucifer got to him, the harder it was to keep his composure. All he wanted was to cradle the fallen angel in his arms, to make him feel cherished, to protect him from hurt.
After what seemed like an eternity later, Lucifer was gently deposited on the top of the Radio Tower, directly in front of Alastor. They regarded each other, the demon and the fallen angel were looking at one another with barely hidden fondness, both of them longing and pining for the other. The air around them was filled with anxious energy as they were too afraid of doing something wrong, something that inadvertently could ruin whatever fragile feelings they were feeling for each other.
But Lucifer had never been a patient being, after all, he had a famous track record of acting before thinking.
“Alastor. What are you doing here? Trying to broadcast at this hour? My, this is why you only have like two listeners!”
The demon was jolted from his head on how to address the King by the said object of his thoughts. Only the King of Hell could have that much audacity and sassiness packed in him while addressing the Radio Demon. Lucky for him, Alastor wasn’t one not to answer such an obvious bait.
Or so he thought.
“Lucifer. I could ask you the same thing! Your current attire seems like an excellent choice for one of the stupid picture box morning programs! Or maybe you are trying to start a new fashion trend? I must say, rubber duck pajamas don’t seem like a good choice for that, my dear!”
The king couldn’t help but to huff in a mix of indignation and amusement. This fucking sinner! How dare he poke at him like he hadn’t been running away and avoiding Lucifer lately? He wasn’t going to make life easier for him, no sir!
“I asked first, you bastard! And ah ah, don’t make me laugh! If I could die from something like that I would've died several millennia ago when Heaven casted me down here! I had everything under control, so you can go back to avoid me like you’ve been doing lately.”
Damn it! He wasn’t supposed to say that! What was with this demon that he couldn’t keep his mouth in check when he was in Alastor’s presence? Why was he revealing how he had noticed the sinner avoiding him? And with so much bitterness to his tone?
While Lucifer was chastising himself for his stupidity, Alastor had physically flinched at his words. Ah… The King had noticed and was hurt by his actions… That simply wouldn’t do.
Taking a deep breath to center himself, he took several steps forward until he was at his King’s arm reach. Lucifer had his head lowered in shame, looking at the ground and making the demon unable to see his expression. This filled him with a sense of wrongness, he needed to see Lucifer’s beautiful and expressive face.
Looking down, at Lucifer’s hands, Alastor noticed the ever present ring was absent from his finger. This filled him with delight and steeled his resolve. He was going to show his King he deserved everything from him. Taking a final step into Lucifer's personal space, Alastor gently cradled his alabaster chin, tilting his head until they could look into each other’s eyes.
Lucifer could only look up in shock, almost immediately melting into the soft caresses of Alastor’s claws on his cheek.
“Lucifer… I’m sorry… It wasn’t my intention to make you feel unwanted. I was just trying to understand something about myself and ended up pushing you away. Please forgive me.”
Lucifer was beyond stunned. He may have lived for eons, but never in his long existence would’ve expected someone like Alastor to apologize!
But…
It made him secretly happy to know that maybe he meant a little more than what he initially thought to the demon. If the soft rubs Alastor was giving to his cheek (and he wasn’t blushing, no sir! The King of Hell didn’t blush like a maiden because of some affection dammit!) meant what he thought it meant, he had a pretty clear idea what the demon may have been trying to understand. But it didn’t mean he was going to make this easier for Alastor, he deserved to struggle a little after ignoring him for so long.
“Oh? And did you arrive at any conclusion? Or do you need to keep disappearing on me as soon as I enter a room to ‘understand something about yourself’? If it helps, I can go back to the palace and leave the hotel. Highly doubt you would miss little old me anyway…”
He was purposely taunting the demon to admit his feelings. But Alastor surprised him yet again when the hand on his chin tightened his grasp and the other hand grabbed the back of his head before Alastor smacked their lips together in a desperate kiss.
Alastor's frantic panic at the angel’s words made him act without thinking, but he needed to show his King that yes, he was going to be missed! And that yes, he now knew how much Lucifer meant to him!
After the initial shock, Lucifer had melted into the kiss and quickly took initiative. As much as Alastor was eager, his inexperience was showing, so Lucifer slowed down the kiss, giving it a rhythm both of them enjoyed. He felt the demon positively melt against him and a heavy blush on his face. He was looking too cute for a sadistic cannibal Overlord!
So this is what Heaven must feel like! Alastor’s heart was beating a mile per hour, almost feeling like it would burst out of his chest at any given moment. When he kissed Lucifer, he never expected him to reciprocate. Alastor had expected rejection, not absolute bliss. But then Lucifer licked at his lips, asking for permission before slipping his serpentine tongue inside his mouth and as soon as their tongues touched, Alastor truly lost himself.
His demon was positively melting in his arms from being kissed! How utterly adorable of him! Feeling emboldened by his reactions, one of his hands stayed curled at Alastor’s neck, while the other slowly crept to one of his ears. As soon as his hand made contact with one of the velvety ears, the demon whimpered, slumping against Lucifer.
Alastor couldn’t think! All his mind was chanting was Lucifer, Lucifer, Lucifer, LUCIFER in an infinite loop. He finally got what he craved for quite some time and even if the warmth inside him was almost too much, he finally felt right. Alastor wanted more, so much more! To feel more of his King’s skin under his fingertips, to meld the two of them together, to feel more of the perfect heat his mouth was, to explore everything the fallen angel was willing to give him. To make Lucifer his and his alone.
His musings were quickly interrupted when Lucifer petted his ear, the sudden bliss that filled him almost making him blank out.
As Alastor's legs slowly gave up on him, Lucifer made them sit on the floor, perching himself between the demon’s legs. They stayed in each other’s embrace for a while, kissing and finally able to express what their hearts desired for so long.
At least until oxygen became a priority and they had to break apart.
Lucifer almost chuckled when he felt Alastor trying to follow his lips. If anyone would’ve told him the infamous Radio Demon turned into a cutie patootie after a few kisses, he wouldn’t have believed them. Looking fondly at his demon, the fallen angel found him almost pouting, it was really too endearing!
Still, he wasn’t going to make this easy for the demon, he didn’t have a reputation as The Devil for nothing!
“So… Does this mean you have your answer? Or do I have to keep kissing you until you figure it out?”
Alastor groaned, this little shit! He had almost forgotten how insufferable the King could be when he wanted! But… he was right. After the stunt Alastor had pulled, the least he could do for his lover was being honest with him about his feelings.
“Hmmm… I won’t deny it is a good incentive but no. I have my answer already. Lucifer, as much as I tried to deny it, the truth is, I’ve irrevocably fallen in love with you.”
Alastor was looking at Lucifer with such a pure look of love and devotion that the fallen angel couldn't resist and threw himself at the demon, rewarding his words by kissing him hard. Alastor fell to the floor with the impact, but didn’t hesitate to reciprocate, kissing with equal fervor and enthusiasm. They were completely wrapped around each other, making it impossible to distinguish where one began or the other ended.
This time though, it was Alastor breaking the kiss, earning him a whine from Lucifer. He nuzzled their noses affectionately while looking at the King of his heart with eyes filled with love.
Lucifer felt his heart full as he hadn’t felt in centuries, not even when he was still married. This obnoxious demon had managed to pierce all his defenses and take a place inside his heart. The only thing missing was making the said sinner aware of that.
“Even if it’s kinda obvious, you’re still a dense little shit, so I’ll say it as well. I also fell in love with you, my dumb demon. But if you pull a stunt like that again and ignore me, I’ll make sure you’ll wish I had died from my Fall from Heaven.”
Alastor scoffed. Lucifer may be trying to be intimidating, but he could see the ruse for what it was, he was afraid to be hurt and abandoned again. So he had to show him he was here to stay.
“If I promise you forever will you believe me, my angel?”
Lucifer was nothing if not a mischievous little rascal, so as an idea came to his mind, a smirk forming on his face. Without giving time for the demon to react, Lucifer picked him up bridal style, unfurled his wings and flew them both high in the air.
As the distance from the ground grew, he turned again to the demon. Said demon was looking down with wide eyes, like a deer caught in the headlights. And wasn’t that amusing to watch? The fearless Radio Demon was afraid of heights!
“Now… Are you sure about the forever part? Do you think you’ll always want to be here to catch me when I fall? Even in my darkest moments?”
Ah… So this is how his little King wanted to test him. Well, he hadn’t landed on the Pride Ring for naught and he would prove it. Looking again deep into his eyes, Alastor summoned a few tentacles from his back, forming a makeshift bridge between them and the Radio Tower.
“Yes. If you allow me by your side, you can count on me to always catch you, King of my heart. Forever if you’ll have me.”
Satisfied with the answer, Lucifer brought them back to the top of the tower.
Alastor didn’t waste time picking Lucifer up and teleporting both of them to his bed. It was high time he showed his angel how devoted he was to him, starting by worshiping his body the way he deserved.
If Lucifer was surprised, he didn’t show it. He simply allowed Alastor to lower him on the bed, caging him from the world as they got lost into each other.